ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO NEHA PATEL
NEHA PATEL 1035 Gannon Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 (224) 616-9932 nehapatel2390@gmail.com
EDUCATION Illinois Institute of Technology 5th year Bachelor of Architecture candidate Specialization in Digital Visualization Cumulative GPA: 3.25
Chicago, IL
Woodhouse College Studied A2 Level Mathematics, Physics and Graphics
London, UK
WORK EXPERIENCE Cook County Land Bank Authority May 2013 - Present Research Fellow Chicago, IL Primarily working on establishing the brand of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) and other design related work. In-depth data research using QGIS to map population trends, vacant properties and land use analysis. Managing the website, meeting minutes and social media outlets to report relevant urban design, architecture, and housing market issues. Freelance Graphic Design Sep 2012-Present Designer Chicago, IL Working in collaboration with a wide variety of clients including photographers, DJ’s, dance teams, musicians and more to create unique graphic designs for marketing and branding. Illinois Institute of Technology May 2011 - Aug 2011 Orientation Leader Chicago, IL Duties involved leading group activities for incoming freshman, assisting check-in and registration, organizing student and parent panels, answering questions about IIT and the surrounding area, and creating a fun and memorable experience for new students. Swarovski, Woodfield Mall Apr 2010 - Mar 2011 Customer Representative Schaumburg, IL My main responsibilities include advising individuals about current trends, creating a personal customer database to improve relations, dealing with in-depth queries and complaints, cashiering, online and phone orders, and displays. SKILLS • Proficient in AutoCad, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Revit Architecture and QGIS • Leadership qualities and a high level of interpersonal skills • Fluent in English, Gujarati and Hindi AWARDS • Deans List (Spring 2011-Present) • Nominated for the Schiff Award (Spring 2014) OBJECTIVE Upon completing my degree, I strive to join a firm related to architectural and urban design. The invaluable experience I have gained working for the Land Bank has educated me on the political issues that govern creative decisions. The ever-changing nature of the field lends itself to be at the forefront of technological advancement and ecological awareness. I strive to develop my unique view on urbanity throughout my career as an architect.
CONTENTS CENTER FOR AERIAL AND CIRCUS ACTS fourth year studio project
4
ADAPTIVE RE-USE: TEXTILE CENTER fourth year studio project
10
RAVENSWOOD BOATHOUSE third year studio project
16
URBAN OASIS: 35TH ST MASTERPLAN fifth year studio project
22
EPIDERMIS digital fabrication competition
24
ARTWORK non-academic
26
CENTER FOR AERIAL AND CIRCUS ACTS
OVERVIEW This fourth year design project is situated in Goose Island, an area that is surrounded by public access and transportation, but is highly underutilized. Most of the semester was spent understanding the daily routines of an aerial artist as well as the adaptability of the space from day to night. As a studio, we researched architectural precedents with a similar program, and also had a site visit to a converted loft that housed aerial rings, ropes and trapezes. The concept for this project is based on the notion that an aerial based program does notrequire conventional rigid elements, i.e. the ceiling, floor and wall. Therefore the iterations below show the different configurations that can be achieved in a space. Apart from these 3 structural systems, the rest of the building is penetrable and dynamic. From that, I created a user-interactive plan that changes with specific needs, as well as a steel truss roof for rigging.
wall
ceiling
floor
DAILY SCHEDULE
public private
training
performance
PLAN
basement
floor 01
WALL SECTION The details for the 3 major components: the trampoline floor, the permeable wall and the truss roof can be seen on the left. The building coincides with the gritty exterior of Goose Island through the materiality and construction methods.
SECTION - SYSTEMS There are three main systems for rigging and movement throughout the performance space. The structural trusses account for the extra load from rigging. The double-hinged doors within the wall allow the users to move freely from the trampoline area to the multipurpose area. Lastly the trampoline area has continuous springs so that it is embedded within the floor system.
rigging
rigging trusses hinging transitional wall
trampolining
multi-purpose
ELEVATIONS
north
springing
media wall entrance
entrance
east
training area
ADAPTIVE RE-USE: TEXTILE CENTER
SITE Set in the midst of a culturally invigorating neighborhood, this project strives to bring together the modern art district and Mexican heritage of the Pilsen area. A public textile/cultural center serves as a perfect medium to connect the historical and cultural nature of Chicago with the more contemporary vibe of the art and industrial districts. This concept also recognizes and addresses the lack of green space available to the residents of Pilsen. Also the adaptive reuse of the vacant lots allows for greater community involvement, whilst also engaging an unused property.
OVERVIEW Like visiting anthropologists, we examined the city life of Pilsen along 18th Street and Sangamon Street. Pilsen is a neighborhood located in the residential Lower West Side community in Chicago. In the late 19th century Pilsen was inhabited by Germans, Irish, Czech, Polish and Lithuanian immigrants. Mexican immigrants and Latinos became a majority in 1970 as the neighborhood served as a port of entry. Pilsen’s urban context will be explored historically, typologically, and physically. The legacy of uneven development throughout major cities, including Chicago, has left neighborhoods vulnerable to impaired efforts to achieve social stabilization. Buildings must celebrate everyday experiences centered on the pedestrian, the visitor and social sustainability. The projects will address the contemporary challenge of inspiring positive lasting change, through a living intelligent textile center which not only enhances the neighborhood, but also creates tangible environmental or technological innovation. The projects will address the fragile harmony between the manufacturing community and the residential community.
CONCEPT
The form of this project is based on the motion of a silk scarf, right before it touches the ground. The swift motion of the fabric is resembled in the green roof of the main gallery spaces. The program is arranged to promote interaction between the passive gallery and office spaces, and the active studio and manufacturing space. Visual and spatial connections allow direct communication between these different programmatic areas.
exterior interior
north
east
floor 01
RAVENSWOOD BOATHOUSE
OVERVIEW This third year design project is situated in the heart of Chicago’s Ravenswood area. Most of the semester was spent understanding the site constraints of a building that is so close to the river. As a studio, we researched architectural precedents with a similar program, and also had a site visit to the Lincoln Park boathouse. In addition to an extensive site analysis, this project required a substantial understanding of the programmatic experiences gained as a professional rower. The daily routine of beginner vs. advanced sculling is vastly different, and the concept of this building deals with different paths that a person can take around the site. The unique storage and aisle requirements in a boathouse meant that special configurations inside the building, as well as where the site meets the river were important. Also the proximity to water in the site was investigated fully throughout the semester , as well as the adaptability from summer to winter. HIERARCHY OF VIEWS The concept of this project was based on the hierarchy of visual and acoustic communication, both in the interior and exterior spaces. Below is a simple diagram showing the communication lines between each different floor. Multi-purpose Office Entrance
Gym Boat storage
ELEVATIONS west
south
The concept of this building is based on the hierarchy of views. Each floor is connected with a wood core, wherein all the private rooms such as restrooms, offices and classrooms reside. Apart from this, all the floors are open to allow visual and acoustical communication. The hierarchy of the floors are as follows: the first floor is the storage room, the second floor is the weight room, the third floor is the office space, and the fourth floor is a multipurpose banquet hall.
BUILDING SECTION
east
north
WALL SECTION
URBAN OASIS: 35TH ST MASTERPLAN
Regional Congestion
Metra, CTA and Bus
Last Mile
The Chicagoland region is falling behind other major American metro areas when it comes to focusing growth near transit stations. In Philadelphia, San Francisco, DC, and New York, most new housing is being built close to transit, but not in Chicago. Here, most growth is happening outside of walking distance to transit, and the “transit shed” is losing jobs faster than the car-dependent areas of the region. Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Mchenry and Will waste an estimated $7.3 billion a year in wasted time and fuel, and environmental damages due to excess traffic congestion on its expressways and arterials.
Hybrid Architecture/Infrastructure/Urbanisms are design ideas and designed realities that, through nested components and scales, catalyze a larger and more visible public benefit to urban communities. the Great Lakes mega-region is expected to increase its population by 16 million people by 2050. Where will these people live? If current trends continue, most will live in low-density sprawl (2.5 dwelling units/acre), on what today is mostly “greenfield” agricultural land. At the present rate of development, nearly 4,000 square miles of undeveloped land in the megaregion would be built on in the next 35 years.
There are a myriad of ways architecture can affect our cities. The best scenarios are when space is created that dissolves social class structure and mixes various ethnic backgrounds that allow multiple experiences to create a better society. The people that interact with this intervention are exposed to new opportunities, ease of transit and ample economic development due to the investment in a localized, dense site. The architecture acts as a gateway for national, regional and local commuters to flow freely through the urban fabric of the city.
MASTERPLAN
The Cube -Primarily residential, hotel and office spaces with retail IIT Tower -Transform first couple of floors and surrounding plaza to create public spaces. CTA Stop -The public space is connected to student and public housing.
Key Transit New Infrastructure New Architecture Green Space Plaza
OVERVIEW There are 3 major transit systems running through this site, all moving in the direction of north-south. However there is little to no movement from east to west. Our project aims to strengthen the walkability between the modal systems and create a destination for both short term residents as well as the community. The new infrastructure and architecture acts as a band that connects the existing modal systems. It creates a transit oriented gateway to the city with support systems for the community, short-term residents and visitors. The variety of program serves the multitude of people traveling to and from the city on a daily basis. The cube gives the new intervention an identity. It has strict boundaries that clearly define its purpose and limits. The Street Vitalization doesn’t have strict .aries and manipulates open space to activate more public zones. The ambition of more walk/bike friendly zones are to generate local growth. The site plan diagram below shows the overall changes made on the street level. There are reduced car lanes, which are substituted by bike lanes on either side. Also there are intermittent plazas and public spaces throughout the span to increase walkability and a sense of destination.
north
east
EPIDERMIS
The prototype for this project deals with three primary materials: structural thermobimetal tubes, single-foil Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and indigenous plants. The main focus of this concept is to allow airflow between the exterior and interior unrestricted by conventional thick facades. Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a highly translucent fabric which is extremely practical and economical. This material weighs only 1% of glass, and has the same water-tight properties. Its current state does not allow for direct airflow, but allows the façade of any building to transmit up to 95% of natural light. The single-foil ETFE acts as the primary protection against pathogens. Next, the steel tubes act as both the main structural support for the ETFE, as well as the primary source for air flow. The tubes have openings which allow constant natural ventilation into the building. Its thermobimetal properties allow the openings to expand and contract to react to the temperature outside. Similar to the skin, pores open and close as a response to the body’s temperature. Finally, the plants regularly clean the oxygen that surrounds the building skin, so that the air that is transmitted into the building is free of toxins.
[ folding ] P A N E L [1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[ modular ] P A N E L S
[ plant ] P O C K E T S
OVERVIEW Skin is a dynamic system fully responsive to its surroundings and internal comforts. The complex composition and layering of skin allows the epidermis to react to internal heat and humidity. It also acts as protection against pathogens and stores vital supplements for the body. There are many parallels that can be drawn between the organic nature of skin, and the built environment. Both keep harmful toxins and moisture out. But what if the barrier could regulate air flow? The building skin can be thought more of a living, breathing entity which transfers the natural qualities of the exterior to the conventionally static interior. Instead of being a barrier to water and air, if the skin could in fact allow air flow in concentrated areas, natural ventilation could be provided to internal spaces. The semi-permeable nature of the epidermis is encompassed in a building’s skin. Unlike human skin, amphibians breathe through their skin to isolated areas. Protection, sensation, heat regulation, absorption and water resistance can be achieved through a system of receptive materials and techniques sensitive to its immediate surroundings. The way in which similarities are apparent between the epidermis and the exterior building facade are detailed: 1. Protection: An anatomical barrier from pathogens and damage between the internal and external environment in bodily defense. This can be applied within a built environment, whereby the skin or façade would protect the occupants from excessive exposure. 2. Sensation: Contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury. The façade could indeed react to the Sun via the metals properties. 3. Heat regulation: Dilated blood vessels increase perfusion and heat loss, while constricted vessels greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve heat. The idea of open/closed valves to create more or less heat loss can be applied in the metal building facade. 4. Control of evaporation: the skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss. No moisture is gained through the building skin, similar to human skin. 5. Absorption: the cells comprising the outermost 0.25–0.40 mm of the skin are almost exclusively supplied by external oxygen. This is similar to the nature of amphibious skin. 6. Water resistance: The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out of the body. The façade needs to be water resistant, as well as breathe freely, to allow ventilation.
ARTWORK
AQUA TOWER, STUDIO GANG ARCHITECTS Ink on paper, Fall 2013
FREELANCE LOGO DESIGNS
cclba Cook County Land Bank Authority
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BRANDING FOR THE COOK COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY The logo was approved in the summer of 2013 and has been used on various social media platforms, as well as the website and in print.
AK
BHangra
Easy P e
BHANGRA INVASION
SCL
tCo
second city l e a d e r s h i p
ARTWORK
NEHA PATEL B.Arch 2014 | Illinois Institute of Technology nehapatel2390@gmail.com